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GEMMA Collins has raked in a seven-figure sum ahead of her I’m A Celebrity comeback.

The reality star, 44, has gone from strength to strength since rising to fame on The Only Way Is Essex.

According to new accounts from her company, Gemma Collins Limited, she has brought in a near £1 million profit in the year to September 30, 2024.

Meanwhile, earnings show £230,134 in corporation tax is due within a year.

This reveals Gemma has pocketed a £950,000 profit – based on the 2023/24 corporation tax rate -working out at £2,600 per day.

The firm was set up in 2012 and is run by Gemma’s dad Alan, although she is reported in accounts as the “ultimate controlling party”.

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She channels her earnings from TV, various branding and business endeavours into the company.

As well as her performing arts firm, Gemma has also run four other companies.

These were Gemma Collins Boutique, Gemma Collins Clothing, Gems by Gemma and GemmaCollagen.

However, they would ultimately all have mixed fortunes.

Gemma Collins Boutique went into liquidation owing £76,215.

As for Gemma Collins Clothing, it was in the red as per its last accounts.

Elsewhere, Gems By Gemma held £41,505 at its last accounts and GemmaCollagen was set up in 2020 but closed in 2021 without filing accounts.

Other ventures

After over a decade, Gemma is set to make a return to the I’m A Celebrity jungle for the second All Stars series.

In April, The Sun first exclusively revealed bosses were in talks with her for a jungle comeback.

She originally competed in the 2014 series, only to memorably quit after just three days.

A source said at the time: “She hated it first time round but knows it would be TV gold for her fans if she gave it another go.

“The discussions could go either way but signing her would be a huge win for execs.”

The Sun later revealed her in the full line-up – which also includes Gemma’s 2014 campmate Craig Charles.

Continuing in her reality TV roots, she is set to front her own upcoming Sky series titled Gemma Collins: Four Weddings and a Baby.

The Sun revealed this eight-part series will follow Gemma’s life over the course of a year – including domestic moments, glamourous events and her IVF journey.

In September 2024, Gemma revealed the secret side hustle that has made her a millionaire.

PROPERTY QUEEN

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Gemma revealed she has been quietly investing in property for the past few years.

This means snapping up properties before flipping them – then renovating and reselling them within a year.

Gemma told The Sun: “I’ve put money into property.

“I don’t worry about my future because I’ve put everything in place -but I’ve done it late in life.

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“I had normal jobs and I’m not sure there were pension schemes then, I am self-employed, so I did it late in life.

“I was 40 when I started to [invest], I wish I had the knowledge that I have now in my 20s.”

CELEBRITY Traitors star Tom Daley is diving head first into a pool of cash courtesy of a lucrative side hustle.

The champion diver raked in more than £100,000 from his knitting hobby in 2024 – two years on from setting up his Made With Love label.

Profit eluded him for the first couple of years, but his woolly items are now coining it in.

Annual accounts for MWLTD Ltd show he made a six-figure profit in 2024 and left £57,000 in cash in the firm’s coffers.

He sells £8.99 balls of wool, patterns and leisurewear via his website and would-be buyers are told by Tom: “A lot of you know that I absolutely adore knitting.

“It’s been a journey for me that started when I first picked up my knitting needles in March 2020. Fast forward and I’m so proud to introduce these kits to you all so that you can experience the joy I found learning to knit.

“I designed these knit kits to help encourage you to pick up those needles, learn the basics, and fall in love with knitting at the same time – all whilst creating something to show off or pass on.”

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Wool vest kits start at £53. A pattern and wool for a sweater costs up to £72.

Tom, who hosts Channel 4’s Game of Wool, has said he was banned from wearing his own knitwear when appearing on Celebrity Traitors.

The Olympic gold medallist, 31, revealed in a new interview that self-promotion was prohibited during filming for the BBC gameshow.

The former diving champion appeared as a Faithful contestant on the programme alongside singer Paloma Faith, presenter Stephen Fry and broadcaster Kate Garraway, with the Traitors being Jonathan Ross, Alan Carr and singer Cat Burns.

He also added that he was constantly knitting when they weren’t filming scenes for the show.

“Any time I was in the hotel, I was just knitting, knitting, knitting,” he said.

His latest foray into entertainment TV saw him murdered early on in Celebrity Traitors – and he wasn’t happy about it.

He told the Guardian: “They got rid of people who probably would have figured it out.”

Tom clashed with the show’s producers when he put forward the idea of returning from the dead so that he could continue to take part.

He explained: “I think what they should have considered is a resurrection, bringing someone back from the dead after, like, the first four murders.”

However, his novel suggestion was met with a disappointing no.

DARTH Vader’s lightsaber has been sold for £2.7million — making it the most expensive Star Wars prop in history.

The fake weapon, made from an old flash camera attachment, beat pre-sale expectations by £100,000.

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It was famously used in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back in the battle where baddie Vader chops off Luke Skywalker’s hand — then reveals that he is, in fact, his opponent’s father.

Brandon Alinger, of auction house Propstore in Los Angeles, said: “The result marks a landmark moment for the entire world of film collecting.”

“To see a Star Wars lightsaber – the symbol of one of cinema’s greatest sagas – become the highest-valued piece of the franchise ever sold at auction is incredibly special.”

He added: “It speaks to the enduring cultural power of Star Wars and the passion of fans and collectors who see these artifacts as touchstones of modern mythology.”

The 1ft (32cm) green lightsaber was used in scenes by Darth Vader actor David Prowse and stunt performer Bob Anderson.

In the pre-auction process it was described as “one of the most significant cinema artefacts ever.”

Other items sold on Thursday night included the Spider-Man suit worn by Tobey Maguire in the 2002 superhero film, which went for $289,800 (£214,000).

Harrison Ford‘s eight-foot bullwhip, belt and whip holster from Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989) beat its pre-sale estimate to sell for $485,100 (£360,000).

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A CUSTOM number plate that was only expected to sell at auction for just a few hundred pounds ended up going for an eye-watering sum.

The ordinary-looking plate fetched the hefty price after it caught an attendee’s eye for a very specific reason.

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At the DVLA auction, the FER 12C registered number plate started out at £300.

But when the hammer fell, it would go for a staggering £35,000. 

It turned out that specific registration was wanted for a rare Ferrari 12Cillindri Spider.

This £336,000 supercar came out last year to mark a 70 year anniversary.

A spokesman said: “FER 12C started at just £300 but ended with a final hammer price of £35,000.

“It’s thought it was most likely purchased to use on a Ferrari 12Cillindri Spider.”

The car is a two-seater front-engine, rear-wheel-drive grand tourer.

It was revealed at Miami Beach to mark 70 years of Ferrari on the American market.

The stunning supercar was also given the Compasso d’Oro industrial design award this year.

Other big buys at the DVLA auction included 296 VS – which soared from £2,200 to a staggering £25,010.

Another was 121 O, which began at £2,500 and went for £23,360.

The plate 2 GUD also saw a big jump from £1,200 to £17,830.

Plate dealer Carl Hanley said: “The results from this auction prove that what once felt like a luxury item is now a smart and increasingly popular way for motorists to stand out.

“What’s exciting is the creativity.

“It’s not just about having your name on a plate anymore – it’s about personality, exclusivity, and even legacy.”

A man who paid a fraction of that could make a life-changing amount if the picture of Clemintine Churchill is proved to have been painted by the revered wartime Prime Minister

An amateur art collector who claims he has found a lost painting by Sir Winston Churchill is told it could be worth more than £600,000.

Barry James appears on the BBC1 show Fake Or Fortune tonight (MON) with his intriguing picture. He tells presenter Fiona Bruce and international art dealer Phil Mould that he picked it up for just £140 in an antiques market in Ardingly near Gatwick, three years ago because he liked ‘the colours and composition’.

But it was only later when it took it out of the frame that he found a mysterious inscription on the back which read: “This painting of Mrs Winston Churchill on wall of sunken garden at Hurstmonceux (CORR) Castle, Sussex, by The Right Hon. Winston S Churchill. June 1916.”

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It shows what is thought to be Sir Winston’s wife Clementine perched on a wall reading a book in the pink flowered gardens of the castle. Barry, from West Sussex, hopes the BBC series, returning for its 13th run, can validate it.

In the BBC show, shocked Barry is told that paintings by Churchill – who was British PM from 1940-45 and 1951-55 – can fetch millions of pounds. In 2021 Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie sold one – The Tower Of The Koutoubia Mosque, painted in Marrakesh during WWII – for a record £7million.

And Barry is informed that if his picture is found to be an original then at auction it could make more than £600,000. The TV duo embark on a search to find out if the artist really was war leader Churchill. Records show how he took up painting in 1915 – in water colours to begin with and later in oils – after he had completed his military service during WW1 and narrowly escaped death.

He looked on his new hobby as something that took him away from the stress of his high powered life and it became a source of relaxation. Fiona, 61, delves into a book written by his friend Violet Bonham Carter called Winston Churchill As I Knew Him, in which she mentions that the politician stayed at the castle with his paints and brushes.

The author even writes that he was there as a guest in 1916 – but she mentions August rather than June. Undeterred, Fiona visits the castle to locate the exact spot where Clementine would have sat on the wall in the garden to be painted.

Meanwhile art dealer Phil does some digging to check that it is not stolen – and gets the all clear. A further mystery is uncovered when the artwork is x-rayed and another painting is discovered underneath. Experts believe it looks like a painting of a castle – possibly the very one where Winston and his wife stayed.

This news is not unwelcome as the statesman was well-known for re-using canvases. But some doubt is thrown into the mix when it is discovered that the handwriting on the back is not Churchill’s but that of Conservative politician Colonel Claude Lowther, who bought Herstmonceux and restored it – and invited his friend to stay there in 1916.

Barry, who is married and is a carer with a disabled son, admits: “If the painting is real, I’d probably end up reluctantly selling it, obviously for the family. We have always wanted to go to Niagara Falls. Our son is disabled and I think he’d enjoy something like that.” Viewers can find out if the painting is real on the new series of Fake Or Fortune, tonight at 9pm.

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Butlin’s Bognor Regis, a holiday resort in West Sussex, is one of the most famous holiday parks in the UK and worldwide. Here’s what happened when Parul Sharma went to Butlin’s without kids.

As a UK resident, I was recently informed that a trip to Butlin’s is somewhat of a British tradition. Being relatively new to the UK, I had no clue what Butlin’s was. So naturally, I decided to spend a weekend at the nearest one post-haste.

For some background – I relocated from India to the UK in June last year and holiday parks were not a common concept back home. In fact, it would be quite a task to locate one, particularly on the same scale and reputation.

So off I went to Butlin’s Bognor Regis for a ‘quintessentially British’ holiday break. To set the record straight, Butlin’s isn’t a holiday park.

It’s a holiday resort brimming with all the bells and whistles to keep oneself amused within its (vast) boundary walls. Despite being a mere stone’s throw away from the beach, that’s not the unique selling point of Butlin’s, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The resort chain prides itself on offering enough activities within its grounds that guests don’t feel compelled to seek excitement at the beach.

Stepping into Butlin’s with my partner during the May Bank Holiday weekend, two things became immediately apparent. Firstly, my partner and I were possibly the only couple without children for miles around.

Secondly, it was shaping up to be a lively weekend.

The accommodation

Butlin’s Bognor Regis boasts three hotels within its grounds – the Shoreline, Ocean, and Wave Hotels – along with the Comfort range of rooms and apartments.

I had the pleasure of staying at the Wave Hotel, conveniently located near all the action and quite frankly, it was delightful. Upon entering the room, we were welcomed by a neon blue glow (as suggested by the name), yellow interiors, and an adorable junior room for children, complete with bunk beds and a quirky porthole on the door.

As a 30-year-old, I was thrilled at the prospect of a lie-in on those bunk beds, each equipped with their own mini-TVs. I could only imagine the excitement a child would feel having that space all to themselves.

Entertainment

Butlin’s iconic white tents are a world unto themselves. They house an arcade, a bowling alley, pool tables, a couple of bars, restaurants, and several stages for entertainment shows – it’s hard to envision anyone getting bored within these tented walls.

I must admit, I was completely taken in by the arcade games, enjoying myself as much as the throngs of delighted children around me. Upon closer observation, I realised I wasn’t the only adult partaking in the fun.

Watching parents in my vicinity revert back to their childhood selves was a joy to behold. After a spirited game of bowling and a few rounds of pool, I found myself reliving the bliss of my 11-year-old self’s childhood paradise.

For families with children, there was a plethora of live shows to enjoy, including The Masked Singer hosted by Mark Rhodes (known for Crackerjack and CBBC’s Junior Bake Off), featuring masked celebrity participants.

Other attractions included Electric Wonderland, Iconic, Snow White and her Magnificent Friends, Animals and Mythical Beasts, and even a chance to meet Gladiators stars Cyclone and Nitro.

These events were always bustling with attendees, and given the vibrant energy they exuded, it’s easy to see why.

The PLAYXPERIENCE

A new addition to Butlin’s Bognor Regis’ already brimming holiday resort is the PLAYXPERIENCE. Having opened its doors in October 2024, the PLAYXPERIENCE was certainly a standout feature of my inaugural Butlin’s weekend.

Spread across two floors and nearly 50,000 square feet, it’sndeniably a sanctuary for gamers and modern tech enthusiasts.

With a VR Cade boasting cutting-edge VR games, laser tag, techputt (mini-golf), digi darts, escape rooms, glow pong, shuffleboard, a batting cage, and neo games – this gamer’s paradise has something for everyone.

Featuring a bar and cafe on-site, I can safely say that me and my passion fruit daiquiri had a fantastic time while partaking in some neon mini golf. Another memorable moment was playing laser tag with playful kids and their equally spirited parents.

It appears that a dose of high-octane, ruthless competition is just the ticket to kick-start the day. As we divided into four teams, it became evident once more that the grown-ups were having as much fun as the youngsters.

That seemed to be the charm of Butlin’s.

Food and drink

The all-inclusive drinks package at Butlin’s seemed like a no-brainer. With an impressive array of cocktails, spirits, beers, ciders, wines, mocktails, Costa coffee, and soft drinks available – it’s almost worth donning a vibrant neon-orange wristband for three days.

The fact that most of the beverages are quite tasty and do the trick adds to the appeal. And with conveniently located bars and eateries scattered across the resort, we never had to wait too long for a drink or snack.

There was a wealth of choices to suit any budget, whether we fancied breakfast or a buffet dinner.

We opted for the premium dining package which covered our breakfast and dinner each day. Breakfast was served from 8am to 10:30am daily, and while the selection was broad and catered to both children and adults, I found the actual taste and quality of the food to be average.

But one can’t have it all, I suppose.

We were taken aback when we arrived at 10am on the first day – it seemed everyone was an early riser, and we certainly felt out of place, with people giving us double-takes!

The following day we managed to get there by 9.45am, but it still appeared that everyone was up bright and early for breakfast – not ideal for a late riser like me who prefers to squeeze in as much sleep as possible.

Fairground and Splash Waterworld

A charming little fairground was the icing on the cake of my Butlin’s weekend. From go-karts and adventure golf to mini-rides and a trampoline, the pre-booked All-Action Pass was a hit.

My inner Lewis Hamilton emerged during an exhilarating go-kart race (in which I triumphed – and no, it doesn’t matter that most of my competitors were children).

Although I didn’t take a dip, the sight of joyful families wandering around with damp hair and broad grins was enough to convince me it would’ve been a delightful experience (provided it wasn’t raining and excessively windy).

So, how did my inaugural Butlin’s trip fare in terms of holidays? Three days packed with fun, games, activities, and children. Lots and lots of children.

Perhaps my next visit will be when I have a little one of my own.

Book the holiday

Butlin’s is offering a three-night Showtime Weekend break, which includes accommodation in a two-bedroom Ocean Hotel room in Bognor Regis, starting from £269 on 11 July 2025. The price is based on two adults sharing and encompasses all live shows and activities, unrestricted access to the pool, unlimited fairground rides, and entry to PLAYXPERIENCE.

Dining packages begin at £24.95 per adult, per day, £14.95 per junior (aged 6-14), per day, and £6.80 per child (aged 2-5). For more information, visit www.butlins.com..

Former Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan gave birth to her first child in March of this year alongside husband Mark Wright, with the happy couple raking it in during the new mum’s maternity leave

Michelle Keegan is reportedly raking in six figures while on she’s maternity leave as she’s able to make £8,000 a week. The actress gave birth to her first daughter Palma back in March but it’s thought that she can still make money while not taking on new acting projects.

The new mum reportedly raked in a huge £441,082 while she was pregnant which brings her net worth to more than £4million in total. Michelle’s performing arts firm Rosie Promotions’ filings show that Michelle was raking the money in while she was off on maternity leave.

Accounts filed at Companies House show that she made the equivalent of £8,482 per week for the year up to September 30, 2024. This increases the net worth of the company to £4,032,277 after bills.

The Sun reports that the firm has £3,473,623 in cash and £610,370 in property which includes a flat in Altrincham which was bought in 2022. Michelle made £280,000 in her firm’s first year of trading and she exceeded £2 million in 2021 before £3 million in 2023.

Another way Michelle makes money is by co-directing clothing business Mysa Active with her husband Mark Wright. Michelle has reportedly landed a six-figure deal to become the new face of Sky.

It’s thought that the star will film promo clips alongside fellow British actor Luther star Idris Elba. She managed to bag the deal after she has been a Sky staple in her comedy Brassic which is one of the most popular series on the channel.

A source said: “Michelle has really been enjoying maternity leave with Palma, but she’ll be back to work soon to film these new adverts for Sky. She has signed a six-figure deal for the job and is thrilled to have been chosen to appear alongside Idris, who has been their ‘face’.

“Brassic is ending after the seventh series and Michelle is keen to still be a part of the Sky brand. Landing this ad is huge for Michelle, as she’s fast becoming a brand in her own right. Everything she touches seems to turn to gold.”

Michelle has found fame over the years through her acting career. She is best known for her roles on Coronation Street and Our Girl.

However, being a famous actress wasn’t always on the cards for Michelle. She didn’t have any plans when she first left school and found herself working at Selfridges in the Trafford Centre on a make-up counter and at Manchester Airport as a check-in agent.

But this didn’t last for long as she them turned her hand to acting and she found success soon after. She secured first acting appearance on Coronation Street when she was offered the role of Tina McIntyre after just her second audition as an actress.

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AT the age of three, Phil Foden’s daughter might struggle to tell the time — but Daddy has already treated her to a £10,000 Rolex.

Little True was seen wearing the pricey watch in pictures posted on her Instagram page last week.

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England and Man City ace Phil, 24, and girlfriend Rebecca Cooke run the site, which has 22,400 followers.

True is also seen kitted out in a £160 Monnalisa designer dress, a £40 bag from Hookd and a Pandora charm bracelet.

Her Rolex is identical to one worn by Kylie Jenner’s daughter Stormi, six.

Phil’s own watch collection includes a Rolex Sky Dweller and a Day Date.

The midfielder, who came on as a sub in yesterday’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, loves spending his £200,000-a-week wages on his kids — Ronnie, five, True, and baby boy Phil Junior.

True was given a pony, Angus, at Christmas and is having riding lessons.

A source said: “True loves anything girly, sparkly — she loves fancy things. She is the little girl that wants for nothing.”

Phil recently moved the family to a mansion with a lake in the Cheshire countryside.

He was brought up on a council estate in nearby Edgeley, Stockport.

His mum, Claire, has revealed how much her son had changed recently.

She said: “The shocking thing is I hear him ordering salmon a lot now and he never used to eat that.”

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THIS pair of diehard Crystal Palace fans have spent £20,000 to get home from a US holiday for the FA Cup final before flying back out. 

The side’s Wembley clash against Manchester City on May 17 falls three days into Mark and Anna Newlands’ ten-day trip to New York. 

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The couple booked it months ago for a cousin’s birthday before the Eagles got to the final.

So they have bought flights to get back the day before and will return to the US the day after. 

Mark said they would miss the big birthday but their relatives understood. 

The retired risk manager, 61, from Newbury, Berks, said: “The club is in my DNA.

“We have to be there.

“I’m not bothered if this is sensible or not. It’ll be worth every penny.” 

Anna, 62, is just as devoted to the South London club and did not hesitate when Mark suggested the plan. 

The pair, pictured at the semi-final win over Aston Villa, hope it will be third time lucky after Palace lost their two previous finals. 

The couple’s son James, also a Palace season ticket holder, is attending the final although he is not on the New York trip — while their daughter Alice will stay in the Big Apple. 

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